While Blue Buffalo states that the potential of increased vitamin D presents no serious health risk, the company does warn that any dog showing an adverse reaction to the recalled products should be taken to a veterinarian. Typical symptoms from excessive vitamin D can include excessive water intake and/or excessive urination, as well as vomiting.

Excessive vitamin D in a dog’s diet, or Hypervitaminosis D, can result in bone loss and abnormally high serum calcium levels, which could result in kidney stones and the calcification of organs like the heart and kidneys if left untreated.

Blue Buffalo will reimburse any veterinary or testing expenses related to illness caused by the recalled products, and customers can contact Blue Buffalo Pet Foods directly at 1-877-523-9114 to arrange for the return of any recalled product and for information on reimbursement.

No other Blue Buffalo dog food, cat food, or pet treat brands are included in the recall at this time.

Michigan State University’s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health also issued a statement regarding the recall, stating that a number of veterinarians recently started sending blood samples from dogs with elevated levels of calcium. The sick dogs showed signs of increased thirst and urination, as well as weight loss, loss of appetite, and signs of kidney damage in some cases.

All 16 dogs whose samples were tested had very high levels of vitamin D in their blood and were fed a diet of Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness Chicken Dog Food. The samples originated from the following states: Michigan, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin, California, Illinois, North Dakota, and Utah.